Turkey's deputy police chief sacked

Jan. 8 - Turkey's deputy police chief loses his job making him the most senior officer to be removed in a purge of the country's police force. Linda So reports.

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A major shakeup of power is rocking Turkey's police force.
The deputy police chief was sacked from his job, making him the most senior officer to be removed in a recent purge of the country's police force.
Hundreds of officers have been removed so far accused by the Turkish government of corruption and plotting to shake up the administration.
A government spokesman says the changes are routine.
SOUNDBITE: (Turkish) TURKISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, HUSEYIN CELIK, SAYING:
"I am giving you the information that has been passed on to me by the interior minister. If you bring a local chief to a region, he brings, he establishes his own team. It is not a swap between cities. It is the change over of policemen between departments. And according to the interior minister, this is a routine event which has been conducted each year."
But the European Commission is concerned over the massive purge, calling on the government to be transparent and fair.
SOUNDBITE: (French) EU COMMISSION SPOKESMAN, OLIVIER BAILLY, SAYING:
"The recent steps in Turkey- whether it's the removal, reassignment or dismissal of police officers and investigators - are a matter of concern for the European Commission. These steps could undermine the current investigations and capacity of the judiciary and the police to investigate matters in an independent manner."
The alleged corruption scandal led to the detention of dozens of people including businessmen close to the government.
Three cabinet members' sons were also questioned.

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